Technical supplement
Australia July 2014
Research and Product Development from James Hardie
Construction of buildings in
bushfire prone areas to AS 3959 2009
Scope
The new Building Code of Australia (BCA) was introduced in
2011 and adopts the updated AS 3959:2009 that covers
‘Construction of buildings in bushfire prone areas’. These new
bushfire requirements have been adopted by all states with
variations in New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania.
These state variations are outlined below:
New South Wales:
For a Class 1 or class 10a building or deck associated with a
Class 1 building it must be constructed in accordance with
the following:
(a) AS 3959, except for Section 9 Construction for Bushfire Attack Level FZ (BAL–FZ). Buildings subject to BAL–FZ must comply with specific conditions of development consent for construction at this level; or
(b) the requirements of (a) above as modified by the
development consent following consultation with the NSW Rural Fire Service under section 79BA of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979; or
(c) the requirements of (a) above as modified by development consent with a bushfire safety authority issued under section 100B of the Rural Fires Act 1997 for the purposes of integrated development.
Tasmania:
Tasmania has adopted the new AS 3959 but has additional
requirements for vehicle access and water supply. Refer to the
BCA for more information
South Australia:
Although the provisions for ‘excluded areas’ in both the BCA
and the SA Housing Code will be adopted at a later date, all of
the other requirements including the new Bushfire Attack Levels
(BAL) have been adopted in the new BCA.
This technical supplement is intended to be used as a guide in the
design and construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas in
accordance to Australian Standard 3959-2009 ‘Construction of
buildings in bushfire prone areas.’
This supplement promotes the successful use of non-combustible
James Hardie® building materials. This technical supplement does
not cover all areas of bushfire construction including but not limited
to doors, windows, fascias, roofs, penetrations etc. Refer to the
standard for other building components.
This supplement does not replace the standard but helps
educate designers and builders on improving the performance of
buildings when subjected to bushfire prone areas.
This supplement must be read in conjunction with the
current Australian Standard.
Overview
AS 3959-2009 specifies requirements for the construction of
buildings in bushfire prone areas in order to improve their
resistance to bushfire attack from:
n
n
n
n
Burning embers
Radiant heat
Flame contact
And combinations of the three attack forms
Although the standard is designed to improve the performance of
buildings when subjected to bushfire attack in designated
bushfire-prone areas, there can be no guarantee that a building
will survive a bushfire event on every occasion. This is
substantially due to the unpredictable nature and behaviour of fire
and extreme weather conditions.
There are now six bushfire attack levels, compared to the
existing three. The Standard contains construction solutions for
all Bushfire Attack Levels (BAL)’s and construction requirements
within the standard, the BAL’s increase in stringency as a direct
relationship to the increase in bushfire attack level. There are no
construction requirements for the lowest level.
The BAL levels include:
BAL - LOW, BAL - 12.5, BAL - 19, BAL - 29, BAL - 40, BAL - FZ
NOTE
The number after the BAL is based on heat flux exposure
thresholds in kW/m2.
The following table outlines solutions to internal floor, decking
and external walls using James Hardie® products.
However, the following table must be read in conjunction with
the current code.
FIGURE 1: AUSTRALIAN BUSHFIRE
This technical supplement must be read in conjuction with the current technical product
literature. James Hardie building products must be installed in accordance with the applicable
technical product literature. All components and accessories must be installed in accordance
with the respective manufacturer’s specifications. For the product warranty, terms and
conditions refer to the applicable James Hardie technical product literature
BUILDING IN BUSHFIRE-PRONE AREAS IN ACCORDNACE WITH AS 3959:
2009 – RELATED TO FIBRE CEMENT IN FLOOR AND EXTERNAL WALLS ONLY
Building
Element
Australian Standard 3959: 2009 Requirement
James Hardie
Recommendations
CONSTRUCTION FOR BUSHFIRE ATTACK LEVEL BAL’s 12.5 AND 19
FLOORS
FLOORS
Concrete slabs on ground
This Standard does not provide construction requirements for concrete slabs on the ground.
Elevated floors
This Standard does not provide construction requirements for elevated floors, including
bearers, joists and flooring.
Decking - Floor
This Standard does not provide construction requirements for decking that is more than
300 mm from a glazed element.
Decking less than 300 mm (measured horizontally at deck level) from glazed
elements that are less than 400 mm (measured vertically) from the surface of the deck
(see Figure D2, Appendix D) shall be made from:
(a) non-combustible material; or
(b) bushfire-resisting timber (see Appendix F); or
(c) a timber species, as specified in Paragraph E1 and listed in Table E1 of Appendix E;
For BAL 12.5
(d) PVC-U
(e) a combination of any of Items (a), (b), (c) or (d) above.
For BAL 19
(d) a combination of any of Items (a), (b) or (c) above.
EXTERNAL
WALLS
EXTERNAL WALLS
Walls
That part of an external wall surface that is less than 400 mm from the ground or less than
400 mm above decks, carport roofs, awnings and similar elements or fittings having an
angle less than 18 degrees to the horizontal and extending more than 110 mm in width
from the wall (see Figure D3, Appendix D) shall be of:
(a) non-combustible material; or
(b) fibre-cement external cladding, a minimum of 6 mm in thickness; or
(c) bushfire-resisting timber (see Appendix F); or
(d) a timber species as specified in Paragraph E1 and listed in Table E1, Appendix E; or
(e) a combination of any of Items (a), (b), (c) or (d) above.
The following James
Hardie flooring
products are deemed
non combustible
material
Scyon™ Secura™ exterior flooring
(Residential Decks and internal areas)
n Scyon™ Secura™ interior flooring
(residential internal dry and wet areas)
n Scyon™ Secura™ interior flooring
(Residential Internal wet area)
n HardiePanel™
compressed sheet – 15, 18 or 24mm.
(Decks and internal areas)
n
All James Hardie
external cladding
products, unless they
are less than 6mm
thick eg. 4.5mm thick
HardieFlex™ sheets,
are suitable for external
walls when installed
with vapour permeable
membrane.
For BAL 12.5
There are no requirements for external wall surfaces 400 mm or more from the ground or for
external wall surfaces 400 mm or more above decks, carport roofs, awnings and similar
elements or fittings having an angle less than 18 degrees to the horizontal and extending
more than 110 mm in width from the wall (see Figure D3, Appendix D).
They are deemed as a
non combustible
material in accordance
with C1.12 and part
3.7.1.2 of the Building
Code of Australia.
For BAL 19
This Standard does not provide construction requirements for external wall surfaces 400
mm or more from the ground or for external wall surfaces 400 mm or more above decks,
carport roofs, awnings and similar elements or fittings having an angle less than 18 degrees
to the horizontal and extending more than 110 mm in width from the wall (see Figure D3,
Appendix D).
They are also deemed
a fibre cement external
cladding material as
they are manufactured
in accordance with AS/
NZS 2908.2.
Joints
All joints in the external surface material of walls shall be covered, sealed, overlapped,
backed or butt-jointed to prevent gaps greater than 3 mm.
Refer to
www.jameshardie.com.
au, www.accel.com.
au or www.scyon.com.
au for more information
on James Hardie
products.
Alternatively, sarking-type material may be applied over the outer face of the frame prior to
fixing any external cladding.
Vents and Weepholes
Vents and weepholes in external walls shall be screened with a mesh with a maximum
aperture of 2 mm, made of corrosion-resistant steel, bronze or aluminium, except where
the vents and weepholes are less than 3 mm (see Clause 3.6), or are located in an
external wall of a subfloor space.
This technical supplement must be read in conjuction with the current technical product
literature. James Hardie building products must be installed in accordance with the applicable
technical product literature. All components and accessories must be installed in accordance
with the respective manufacturer’s specifications. For the product warranty, terms and
conditions refer to the applicable James Hardie technical product literature
CONSTRUCTION FOR BUSHFIRE ATTACK LEVEL BAL 29
FLOORS
FLOORS
Concrete slabs on ground
This Standard does not provide construction requirements for concrete slabs on ground.
Elevated floors
Enclosed subfloor space
This Standard does not provide construction requirements for elevated floors, including
bearers, joists and flooring, where the subfloor space is enclosed with:
(a) a wall that complies with Clause 7.4; or
(b) a mesh or perforated sheet with a maximum aperture of 2 mm, made of corrosion
resistant steel, bronze or aluminium; or
(c) a combination of Items (a) and (b) above.
Unenclosed subfloor space
Where the subfloor space is unenclosed, flooring material, including bearers, joists and
flooring less than 400 mm above finished ground level, shall be:
(a) non-combustible (e.g., concrete, steel); or
(b) of bushfire-resisting timber (see Appendix F); or
(c) particleboard or plywood flooring where the underside is lined with sarking-type
material or mineral wool insulation; or
(d) a system complying with AS 1530.8.1; or
(e) a combination of any of Items (a), (b), (c) or (d) above.
This Standard does not provide construction requirements for elements of elevated floors,
including bearers, joists and flooring, if the underside of the element is 400 mm or more
above finished ground level.
The following James
Hardie flooring
products are deemed
non-combustible
materials:
Scyon™ Secura™ exterior flooring
(Residential Decks and internal areas)
n Scyon™ Secura™ interior flooring
(residential internal dry and wet areas)
n Scyon™ Secura™ interior flooring
(Residential Internal wet area)
n HardiePanel
compressed sheet – 15, 18 or 24mm.
(Decks and internal areas)
n
Decking - Floor
Decking shall be:
(a) of non-combustible material; or
(b) of bushfire-resisting timber (see Appendix F); or
(c) a combination of Items (a) and (b) above.
EXTERNAL
WALLS
EXTERNAL WALLS
Walls
Walls shall be one of the following:
(a) Made of non-combustible material (e.g., full masonry, brick veneer, mud brick, concrete,
aerated concrete).
or
(b) Made of timber-framed or steel-framed walls that are sarked on the outside of the
frame and clad with:
(i) fibre-cement external cladding, a minimum of 6 mm in thickness; or
(ii) steel sheet; or
(iii) bushfire-resisting timber (see Appendix F); or
(iv) a combination of any of Items (i), (ii) or (iii) above.
or
(c) A combination of Items (a) and (b) above.
Joints
All joints in the external surface material of walls shall be covered, sealed, overlapped,
backed or
butt-jointed to prevent gaps greater than 3 mm.
Alternatively, sarking-type material can be applied over the frame prior to fixing any external cladding.
Vents and weepholes
Vents and weepholes in external walls shall be screened with a mesh with a maximum aperture of 2 mm, made of corrosion-resistant steel, bronze or aluminium, except where they are
less than 3 mm (see Clause 3.6).
All James Hardie
external cladding
products, unless they
are less than 6mm eg.
4.5mm thick
HardieFlex sheets,
are suitable for the
external walls when
installed with vapour
permeable membrane.
They are deemed as
a non combustible
material in accordance
with C1.12 and part
3.7.1.2 of the Building
Code of Australia.
They are also deemed
a fibre cement external
cladding material as
they are manufactured
in accordance with
AS/NZS 2908.2.
Refer to
www.jameshardie.
com.au, www.accel.
com.au or www.
scyon.com.au for
more information
on James Hardie
products.
This technical supplement must be read in conjuction with the current technical product
literature. James Hardie building products must be installed in accordance with the applicable
technical product literature. All components and accessories must be installed in accordance
with the respective manufacturer’s specifications. For the product warranty, terms and
conditions refer to the applicable James Hardie technical product literature
CONSTRUCTION FOR BUSHFIRE ATTACK LEVEL BAL 40
FLOORS
FLOORS
Concrete slabs on ground
This Standard does not provide construction requirements for concrete slabs on ground.
Elevated floors
Enclosed subfloor spaces
This Standard does not provide construction requirements for elevated floors, including
bearers, joists and flooring, where the subfloor space is enclosed with a wall that complies
with Clause 8.4.
Unenclosed subfloor spaces
Where the subfloor space is unenclosed, the flooring material, including bearers, joists and
flooring, shall:
(a) be non-combustible (e.g., concrete, steel); or
(b) have the underside of the combustible elements of the floor system protected with a
non-combustible material (e.g., fibre-cement sheet or metal sheet); or
(c) comply with AS 1530.8.1; or
(d) be a combination of any of Items (a), (b) or (c) above.
Decking
Decking shall be:
(a) of non-combustible material; or
(b) a system complying with AS 1530.8.1, or
(c) a combination of Items (a) and (b) above.
EXTERNAL
WALLS
EXTERNAL WALLS
Walls
Walls shall be one of the following:
(a) Walls made from non-combustible material (e.g., full masonry, brick veneer, mud brick,
concrete, aerated concrete).
or
(b) Timber-framed or steel-framed walls that are sarked on the outside of the frame and
clad with:
(i) fibre-cement external cladding, a minimum of 9 mm in thickness; or
(ii) steel sheeting; or
(iii) a combination of Items (i) and (ii) above.
or
(c) A system complying with AS 1530.8.1.
or
(d) A combination of any of Items (a), (b) or (c) above.
Joints
All joints in the external surface material of walls shall be covered, sealed, overlapped,
backed or butt-jointed to prevent gaps greater than 3 mm.
Alternatively, sarking-type material may be applied over the frame prior to fixing any
external cladding.
Vents and weepholes
Vents and weepholes in external walls shall be screened with a mesh with a maximum
aperture of 2 mm, made of corrosion-resistant steel or bronze except where they are less
than 3 mm (see Clause 3.6).
The following James
Hardie flooring
products are deemed
non combustible
materials:
Scyon™ Secura™ exterior flooring
(Residential Deck and internal areas)
n Scyon™ Secura™ interior flooring
(Residential internal dry and wet areas)
n Scyon™ Secura™ interior flooring
(Residential Internal wet area)
n HardiePanel™ com
pressed sheet – 15, 18 or 24mm.
(Decks and internal areas)
n
NOTE
James Hardie 6mm
HardieFlex™ sheets
may be a suitable noncombustible material to
have on the underside
of a floor system for an
unenclosed subfloor
space.
The following James
Hardie external cladding
products are 9mm thick
and thus can be used:
Scyon™ Linea
weatherboard
n Scyon™ Stria™
cladding
n Scyon™ Axon™
cladding
n PrimeLine®
weatherboards
n ComTex® facade panel and fixing
system
n 9mm ExoTec®
facade panel and fixing system
n
Refer to
www.jameshardie.com.
au, www.accel.com.au
or www.scyon.com.au
for more information on
James Hardie products.
NOTE
Although, EasyLap™
Panels are 8.5mm thick
they have also been
approved when installed
as per the current
installation manual.
This technical supplement must be read in conjuction with the current technical product
literature. James Hardie building products must be installed in accordance with the applicable
technical product literature. All components and accessories must be installed in accordance
with the respective manufacturer’s specifications. For the product warranty, terms and
conditions refer to the applicable James Hardie technical product literature
CONSTRUCTION FOR BUSHFIRE ATTACK LEVEL FZ (BAL –FZ)
FLOORS
FLOORS
Concrete slabs on ground
This Standard does not provide construction requirements for concrete slabs on ground.
Elevated floors
Enclosed subfloor spaces
This Standard does not provide construction requirements for elevated floors, including
bearers, joists and flooring, where the subfloor space is enclosed with a wall that
complies with Clause 9.4.
Unenclosed subfloor spaces
Where the subfloor space is unenclosed, the floor system, including bearers, joist and
flooring, shall:
(a) have an FRL of at least 30/30/30 and the surface material shall be non-combustible
(e.g., concrete, steel); or
(b) have the underside of the combustible elements of the floor system protected with a
30 min resistance to incipient spread of fire system; or
(c) comply with AS 1530.8.2 when tested from the underside; or
(d) be a combination of any of Items (a), (b) or (c) above.
Decking
Decking shall have no gaps and be:
(a) of non-combustible material; or
(b) fibre-cement sheet; or
(c) a system complying with AS 1530.8.2; or
(d) a combination of Items (a), (b) or (c) above
EXTERNAL
WALLS
9.4 EXTERNAL WALLS
9.4.1 Walls
Walls shall be one of the following:
(a) Walls made of non-combustible material (e.g., masonry, brick veneer, mud brick, aerated concrete, concrete) with a minimum of 90 mm in thickness.
or
(b) A system complying with AS 1530.8.2 when tested from the outside.
or
(c) A system with an FRL of 30/30/30 or -/30/30 when tested from the outside.
or
(d) A combination of any of Items (a), (b) or (c) above.
9.4.2 Joints
All joints in the external surface material of walls shall be covered, sealed, overlapped,
backed or
butt-jointed to prevent gaps greater than 3 mm. Alternatively, sarking-type material may be
applied over the frame prior to fixing any external cladding.
The following James
Hardie flooring
products are deemed
non-combustible
materials:
Scyon™ Secura™ exterior flooring
(Residential Decks and internal areas)
n Scyon™ Secura™ interior flooring
(residential internal dry and wet areas)
n Scyon™ Secura™ interior flooring
(Residential
Internal wet area)
n HardiePanel™ compressed sheet – 15, 18 or 24mm. (Decks and internal areas)
n
A 30/30/30 Wall FRL
can be achieved with
James Hardie external
cladding when used
with other materials,
refer to figures 4a,
4b, 5a & 5b for more
information.
Refer to
www.jameshardie.com.
au, www.accel.com.au
or www.scyon.com.au
for more information on
James Hardie products.
9.4.3 Vents and weepholes
Vents and weepholes in external walls shall be screened with a mesh with a maximum
aperture of 2 mm, made of corrosion-resistant steel or bronze, except where they are less
than 3 mm (see Clause 3.6).
NOTE
For all areas except BAL Low, a vapour permeable sarking must have a flammability index of not more than 5.
This technical supplement must be read in conjuction with the current technical product
literature. James Hardie building products must be installed in accordance with the applicable
technical product literature. All components and accessories must be installed in accordance
with the respective manufacturer’s specifications. For the product warranty, terms and
conditions refer to the applicable James Hardie technical product literature
Typical Applications
Walls/Floors
NON-FIRE RATED WALL (non combustible detail)
Up to and including BAL 40
There are requirements in certain cases where the sub-floor
space must be fully enclosed with non-combustible material (for
which fibre cement is suitable). There are also cases where the
floor must be sheeted underneath with a fire-retardant-treated
(FRT) timber or a non-combustible material (for which fibre
cement is suitable). In both cases the minimum required
thickness of the fibre cement is 6mm.
FIGURE 3: 30/30/30 ONE WAY FRL - OPTION 1
FIGURE 4A: 30/30/30 ONE WAY FRL OVERHANG FOOTING
- OPTION 1
FIGURE 2: NON COMBUSTIBLE FLOOR DETAIL
FIGURE 4B: 30/30/30 ONE WAY FRL ALIGNED - OPTION 1
FIGURE 3: SLAB ON GROUND DETAIL-NON COMBUSTIBLE ONLY
FIRE RATED WALL -30/30/30
For BAL -FZ
When a minimum 90x45mm wall frame is constructed at 600mm
maximum stud centres using the below external and internal wall
configuration, it will satisfy a 30/30/30 one way fire rating from
the outside.
FIGURE 5A: 30/30/30 ONE WAY FRL OVERHANG FOOTING
- OPTION 2
This technical supplement must be read in conjuction with the current technical product
literature. James Hardie building products must be installed in accordance with the applicable
technical product literature. All components and accessories must be installed in accordance
with the respective manufacturer’s specifications. For the product warranty, terms and
conditions refer to the applicable James Hardie technical product literature
15mm ECOplywood sheet Layer:
n
n
All 15mm ECOplywood joints must fall on framing members or steel angles at fascia or at wall.
15mm ECOplywood sheets must be fixed to framing members at 200mm maximum centres with screws that are a minimum 50mm long.
16mm Boral Firestop plasterboard sheet layer:
n
n
n
Boral Firestop plasterboard butt joints must not coincide with the 15mm ECOplywood joints.
Boral Firestop plasterboard to be fixed to the framing at 150mm maximum centres around the perimeter, as well as at 200mm max centre spacing along framing.
Plasterboard fastener to be plasterboard screws.
James Hardie 4.5mm HardieFlex sheet layer:
n
n
n
FIGURE 5B: 30/30/30 ONE WAY FRL ALIGNED - OPTION 2
n
Eaves
The roof/wall junction must be sealed by either the use of fascia
or eaves linings or by sealing between the rafters at the line of
the wall. All other types of roofing must be constructed to ensure
that burning embers do not penetrate into the roof space.
BALRequirement
James Hardie 4.5mm HardieFlex sheets can be butt jointed or joined with PVC jointers on framing only.
James Hardie 4.5mm HardieFlex sheets cannot be joined
off framing.
The fastener recommended in the HardieFlex lining
installation manual must be increased by 31mm minimum to allow for the additional layers behind the HardieFlex lining.
James Hardie 4.5mm HardieFlex sheets must be installed in accordance with the current James Hardie Eave & Soffit Technical Specification.
Roofing
For roofing construction and detailing requirements refer to
AS 3959.
BAL LOW No construction requirement but min. 4.5 mm fibre cement sheet is recommended
BAL 12.5
No construction requirement but min. 4.5 mm fibre cement sheet is recommended
BAL 19
No construction requirement but min. 4.5 mm fibre cement sheet is recommended
BAL 29
Minimum 4.5 mm fibre cement sheet
BAL 40
Minimum 6 mm fibre cement sheet
BAL FZ
A system with a FRL or -/30/30. See Figure 6.
FIGURE 6: FIRE RATED EAVE DETAIL (FRL -/30/30)
* Framing to be at maximum 450mm centres.
This technical supplement must be read in conjuction with the current technical product
literature. James Hardie building products must be installed in accordance with the applicable
technical product literature. All components and accessories must be installed in accordance
with the respective manufacturer’s specifications. For the product warranty, terms and
conditions refer to the applicable James Hardie technical product literature